Several days later, when Han Li opened his eyes once more in the secret chamber, he had completely refined the True Blood of the Black Tortoise.
After quietly reviewing the transformation incantation once more, he formed a single-handed seal. Immediately, ten thousand rays of prismatic light erupted from his body, and he transformed into a massive jet-black tortoise.
The creature stood a full five or six zhang tall, nearly filling the entire chamber. Across its dark, cracked shell, countless crystalline runes flickered and shifted, spontaneously forming a layer of luminous barrier over its surface—utterly mystifying to behold.
Not bad at all! While this Black Tortoise transformation's overall capabilities might fall far short of the Giant Ape and several other transformations, when it came to sheer defensive power alone, it was unquestionably second to none.
After a brief examination of his Black Tortoise form, Han Li reached his conclusion.
He was not particularly surprised by this.
After all, among the myriad ancient True Spirits, the Black Tortoise had long been renowned for its thick hide and rugged resilience.
With another flash of prismatic light, the giant tortoise vanished from the chamber.
Han Li reappeared on the ground in his human form.
After briefly calming the fluctuations in his true essence caused by the transformation, he flicked his sleeve and beckoned with one hand.
The orb that had been pushed into a corner of the chamber flickered and flew back before him.
The bead radiated waves of spatial power, its surface shimmering with five-colored prismatic light—it was the Mountain Sea Bead.
Han Li studied this grotto-heaven treasure for a moment, then without a word circulated an incantation, swayed his shoulders, and vanished from the chamber.
The next instant, within the grotto-heaven of the Mountain Sea Bead, Han Li's figure reappeared in a blur, the massive island directly below him.
Han Li swept his gaze in all directions. Seeing no sign of anyone, he immediately released his spiritual sense, quickly scanning the entire island.
His brows furrowed slightly.
Not a single member of the Void Spirit Fish clan could be found on the island.
"Could it be that they..."
Han Li's eyes flashed and he murmured to himself, but in the next instant he pressed a finger between his brows. The spiritual sense he released surged several times over.
The immense wave of spiritual sense expanded outward, immediately blanketing the other small islands as well.
This time, after a shift in his expression, he finally discovered something. His escape light ignited at once, transforming into a streak of azure radiance that tore through the sky.
In mere moments, a ripple of spatial fluctuation appeared over another small island. Han Li materialized as if by teleportation, and after casting his gaze downward, a faint smile surfaced on his face.
The once desolate island was now covered with brand-new structures of varying heights, all triangular in shape, with half-human, half-fish figures moving in and out among them.
They were none other than the Void Spirit Fish clan.
The instant Han Li appeared, several Void Spirit Fish members of considerable cultivation below noticed the presence in the sky. With cries of surprise, they knelt on the spot and bowed in reverence.
At that, the others naturally noticed Han Li's presence as well, and with similar shock, they all began performing grand bows.
After only a short while, all the Void Spirit Fish had gathered on the ground below Han Li, standing with their hands clasped respectfully at their sides.
"Master, you have finally entered the grotto-heaven once more." The Void Spirit Fish clan chief had flown up to midair and was speaking to Han Li from slightly below with delighted surprise.
"What, not happy to see me?" Han Li said with a faint smile.
"Master, surely you jest. How would we dare think such a thing?" The clan chief was startled by these words and hurried to reply with an apologetic smile.
"Haha, don't worry about it—that was merely a joke. But I notice there's clearly a larger island over there, and several others besides. Why has your entire clan been gathered on this one island?" Han Li chuckled and then asked with some curiosity.
"Now that the Mountain Sea Bead has been refined by you, Master, it is naturally your private possession. Our clan was already granted an immeasurable blessing by being allowed to enter this space. How would we dare move about freely? Should any mishap affect the grotto-heaven, no amount of death could atone for it." The clan chief spoke with deep respect.
"Rest assured, there's no need to be so overly cautious. If this grotto-heaven could be damaged so easily, it would hardly qualify as a supreme treasure. How about this—leave the largest island aside, as I have other plans for it, but you are free to move about on all the other small islands." Han Li said casually.
"Thank you for your great generosity, Master. In that case, our clan does have some experience when it comes to cultivating spirit herbs. Would it please you if I first prepared several herb gardens within the grotto-heaven for you?" The clan chief's face brightened with joy. After thanking him several times, he asked carefully.